Would Fergie dare buy Van Persie for Man Utd?

Carlos Tevez is poised to move to AC Milan this week, paving the way for Manchester City to make their £30 million bid for Robin van Persie, according to reports in the British press.

However, much more intriguing are the reports that suggest Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United may be preparing an audacious coup to steal RVP from City.

It would be sweet revenge for City taking Carlos Tevez to the blue said of Manchester, but more importantly it will be a test of Fergie's relationship with Wenger.

Prima facie loyalty is a big deal at Old Trafford and the wily Scot has stayed away from players who have a tendency to jump.

Once at Old Trafford you are generally expected to retire there... and make a comeback if your Scholes.

However, Robin Van Persie is an entire different issue. Him at City would be a fearsome prospect. Him at Arsenal next season would be just as dangerous.

Will this force Fergie's hand?

Meanwhile, Tevez has been linked with a move to the Serie A for some time, with Milan's January bid for the striker collapsing at the last moment due to Alexandre Pato's sale to Paris Saint-Germain being cancelled.

However, the deal is reportedly back on, following the expected exit of Zlatan Ibrahimovic from the San Siro to PSG.

City will have to make a big bid for the Dutch international this week or the striker will go on Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia.

The champions would appear to be in the driving seat to land the Arsenal striker but Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has still not given up hope of signing the 29-year-old in a cut-price deal.

Juventus could also prevent Van Persie’s participation in the tour, but it is City who are preparing to make a move with Emmanuel Adebayor closing in on a permanent switch to Tottenham.

Van Persie is due to start training with the Gunners on Monday, despite having released a statement confirming he will not be extending his contract that expires in 12 months.
 
Arsenal are scheduled to travel to Malaysia next Saturday and Van Persie could play against City in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium on July 27.
 
Samir Nasri was put in a similar position last year.
 
He was part of Arsenal’s tour and even played in the first game against Liverpool before joining City on August 24.

Arsenal are still hoping to persuade Van Persie to stay and have scheduled further talks for this week when he returns for pre-season training.

They will want at least £30m if they decide to sell the striker.

Van Persie has set off a high-level row at Arsenal, with boss Wenger insisting on getting maximum value whereas other senior figures would accept less after the striker accused the club of lacking ambition.

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